NORTH WILDWOOD, N.J. (AP) -- A New Jersey resort community that has lived in fear of being wiped out by the next big storm voted Tuesday to end a decadelong battle with the state over the condition of its beaches and protective sand dunes that involved $42 million worth of fines and litigation.

The North Wildwood City Council voted to accept a settlement with the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection under which the state will cancel $12 million worth of fines it has levied against the city for conducting unauthorized and potentially harmful beach repair work.

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